Chapter 17: The End of the First Grade

The great plaza of the Supreme Magic Academy was bathed in a soft golden light at sunset. The first-year students gathered in front of the main stage, where the professors were preparing to announce the final results of the year. Murmurs, laughter, nervous glances… it was a decisive moment.

Professor Trebol, with his serious demeanor, stepped onto the stage and unrolled a scroll containing the results.

—With the first academic year concluded, all activities have been evaluated: magical exams, external missions, training, behavior, and individual progress. The final levels will now be announced.

A tense pause settled over the crowd. Liana watched attentively from the third row, her expression calm but focused. Ares stood beside her, arms crossed, his mind lost in thought. Agust, a little farther back, held his usual arrogant posture, though the frown on his face betrayed a hint of unease.

—Liana, —Trebol read— Final level: 60.

Some applause broke out among the group. Liana simply nodded, satisfied with the result.

—Ares… —Trebol continued, in a neutral tone— Final level: 37.

There was a moment of silence. Ares looked up. It wasn't a spectacular number… but he knew he had grown. Much more than numbers could show. He smiled faintly, saying nothing.

And finally…

—Prince Agust: Final level, 47.

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. It was clear that more had been expected from the student who had started at the highest level. Agust stepped forward, lips tightly pressed.

—That's it? —he snapped. —After everything I did, I only gained two levels? Ridiculous.

Trebol gave no response. Silence was the only answer. Agust clicked his tongue, turned sharply on his heels, and walked away without another word. No one dared stop him.

—I'm going back to the palace. My talents are beyond this absurd evaluation, —he muttered to himself as he disappeared down the stone corridors.

Ares watched him go with a mix of surprise and pity. That boy… what was he really searching for?

Liana touched his shoulder.

—Are you okay?

Ares nodded, looking up at the sky.

—Yeah… it was just harder than I imagined. But there's still a long road ahead.

—And you're just getting started.

They both smiled, knowing that the second grade would bring new challenges. The Supreme Magic Academy offered no breaks. But Ares had already learned something crucial:

Not everything is measured in levels.